i68 Anecdotes of Johnson
them still more valuable, he knew and practised that sort which was most applicable to the wants of his friends. To those in need he liberally opened his purse To others he gave up his time, his interest, and his advice x ; and having an honest con fidence that this last was of some weight in the world, he scarcely let a proper opportunity slip without enforcing it ; particularly to young men, whom [sic] he hoped would remember what fell from such high authority ; even to children he could be playfully instructive. (Page 112.)
Some years since the Doctor coming up Fleet-street, at about two o'clock in the morning, he was alarmed with the cries of a person seemingly in great distress. He followed the voice for some time, when, by the glimmer of an expiring lamp, he perceived an unhappy female, almost naked, and perishing on a truss of straw, who had just strength enough to tell him,
- she was turned out by an inhuman landlord in that condition,
and to beg his charitable assistance not to let her die in the street.' The Doctor melted at her story, desired her to place her confidence in God, for that under him he would be her protector. He accordingly looked about for a coach to put her into ; but there was none to be had : ' his charity, however, worked too strong/ to be cooled by such an accident. He kneeled down by her side, raised her in his arms, wrapped his great coat about her. placed her on his back, and in this condition carried her home to his house.
Next day her disorder appearing to be venereal, he was ad vised to abandon her ; but he replied, ' that may be as much her misfortune as her fault ; I am determined to give her the chance of a reformation'; he accordingly kept her in his house above thirteen weeks, where she was regularly attended by a physician, who recovered her.
The Doctor, during this time, learned more of her story ; and finding her to be one of those unhappy women who are impelled to this miserable life more from necessity than inclination, he set
1 To Mr. Thrale he wrote : ' The wanted is evidently impertinent.' advice that is wanted is commonly Letters, ii. 162. For the assistance unwelcome, and that which is not he gave see ante, i. 1 80, 236, 279.
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